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Binoculars
Binoculars are the most under-rated astronomy purchase in Britain: no setup, no cooldown, and usable in the ten-minute gap between clouds. Here are the three pairs we keep by the back door.
Updated May 2026 · Written by the TelescopeReviews.co.uk test team
The first number is magnification, the second the objective diameter in millimetres. Divide the second by the first to get the exit pupil: 50 ÷ 10 = 5mm, which suits most adults in a light-polluted UK sky. Above 10x you will want a tripod or monopod to steady the view.
The Pleiades fill the field beautifully, the Double Cluster in Perseus is stunning, and the Andromeda Galaxy is visible as an elongated glow even from suburbia. Sweep the Milky Way through Cygnus on an August night and you will understand why binoculars stay in use long after a telescope arrives.
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| Model | Type | Aperture | Rating | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Celestron SkyMaster 15x70Best stargazing binocularsBest Pick | Astronomy binoculars | 70mm | 4.5 | Check price on Amazon UK → |
| Opticron Adventurer II WP 10x50Best handheld all-rounder | General purpose | 50mm | 4.4 | Check price on Amazon UK → |
| Nikon Aculon A211 7x50Best for wide constellation views | Wide-field | 50mm | 4.3 | Check price on Amazon UK → |
Celestron SkyMaster 15x70
Best stargazing binoculars
Opticron Adventurer II WP 10x50
Best handheld all-rounder
Nikon Aculon A211 7x50
Best for wide constellation views
Sweeping the Milky Way through Cygnus with these is the cheapest genuine 'wow' in amateur astronomy.
Pros
Cons
Waterproof, UK-weather-proof and equally happy on the Moon or on birds at an RSPB reserve.
Pros
Cons
Low magnification and a wide field make constellation-hopping easy for complete beginners.
Pros
Cons